Meet all 16 Survivor New Zealand 2017 Contestants

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Survivor New Zealand is finally here! Over a year in the making Survivor New Zealand will hit New Zealand screens on Sunday May 7th at 7pm local time (9pm Australian EST).

Over 8,000 people applied for the opportunity of a life time, with 16 being selected to battle it out over 40 days in Nicaragua for the $100,000 prize.

HOST

Supplied: TVNZ

Matt Chisholm takes on one of the most difficult roles on TV, the role of host expertly defined by American Host Jeff Probst over 34 seasons and 17 years hosting the American version of the show. Finding the balance between using the Survivor catchphrases viewers expect and not directly copying Probst will be Matt’s biggest challenge.

In preparation to filming the series Chisolm who admits he was not a fan prior to hosting the show said

“I prepared for Survivor by watching a lot of Survivor. I focused on the American host, Jeff Probst, and how he handled various situations. I also went shopping and bought some appropriate jungle-come-beach-kit, which I plied with a lot of insect-repelling chemicals. It took days, and by the time I was finished, I definitely had my head in the game.”

Probst is not only a tremendous communicator at Tribal Council, he also has the ability to commentate the challenges. Chisholm said

“I’ve never been afraid of talking to people and hitting anyone up about anything. My interviewing skills definitely helped me in running Tribal Council and heading in and out of challenges. I’ve watched a 1,000 rugby games – and unofficially commentated most of them – probably annoying everyone within ear-shot. I imagine this would have helped call the challenges.”

MEET THE CAST

Meet the Cast of Survivor New Zealand (Photo: Scott McAulay)

Avi, 32

Youth Expedition Leader, Wellington – “The Drifter”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Barb, 53,

Mum, Auckland – “Mother Knows Best”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Dee, 29

Customer Service, Auckland – “Survivor Super Fan”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Georgia, 26

Singer/Dancer, Palmerston North– “Tiny Dancer”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Hannah, 27

Kindergarten Teacher, Whangarei – “Glamour Hammer”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Izzy, 30,

Oil Rig Steward, Auckland – “Pageant Queen”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Jak, 22

Banking Consultant, Lower Hutt – “The Class Clown”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Lee, 29

Canyoning Guide, Motueka – “Adrenaline Junkie”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Lou, 19

Farmer, North Canterbury – “Country Gal”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Mike, 27

Business Analyst, Tauranga – “Goliath”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Nate, 45

Senior Police Sergeant, Dannevirke – “Officer in Charge”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Sala, 40

Youth Worker, Christchurch – “Heart of Gold”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Shannon, 24

Zookeeper, Christchurch – “Dr. Doolittle”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Shay, 27

Business Support Coordinator, Hamilton – “The Good Girl”

Photo: Scott McAulay

Tom, 26, Teacher

Tauranga – “Captain Chill”

Tony, 55

Ex-Army, Gisborne – “Rambo”

Photo: Scott McAulay

MEET THE SURVIVOR NEW ZEALAND CAST – Interviews

Twists And Turns Ahead. Survivor New Zealand Sundays and Mondays on TVNZ 2. Live-stream and watch exclusive content at TVNZ.co.nz/SurvivorNZ